Strong Opening Lays the Foundation
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) reignited their IPL 2025 campaign with a much-needed 14-run victory over Delhi Capitals, thanks to a spirited all-round performance led by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. KKR started on a positive note, registering their best opening partnership of the season as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Narine added 48 runs. Though Gurbaz fell to a fiery yorker from Mitchell Starc, the early momentum gave KKR a much-needed lift.
Middle-Order Contributions and Late Collapse
Following quick wickets in the powerplay, including Narine and Ajinkya Rahane, the KKR middle order stepped up. Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi played a composed knock of 44, while Rinku Singh’s 36 added stability. Their 61-run fifth-wicket partnership seemed to be setting the platform for a massive score. However, a sudden collapse in the final over — with three wickets falling to Starc and Ishant Sharma — meant KKR ended at 204-9 instead of pushing past 210.
Delhi’s Chase Gets Off to a Rocky Start
Delhi Capitals began their chase with a boundary from Abishek Porel, but their momentum was short-lived. Porel was dismissed on the second ball by Andre Russell, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Karun Nair and KL Rahul couldn’t anchor the innings, with Rahul’s run-out proving especially costly.
Du Plessis and Axar Revive the Chase
Faf du Plessis and Axar Patel brought Delhi back into the game with a fighting partnership. Du Plessis’ 62 off 39 balls showcased his experience, while Axar’s 43 — despite a hand injury — displayed his grit. However, Sunil Narine struck again, removing both set batters in the same over to tip the game back in KKR’s favor.
Chakravarthy and Narine Seal the Win
Chasing 205, Delhi still had hope with impact player Ashutosh Sharma at the crease. But Varun Chakravarthy dismissed him cheaply, and the Capitals’ tail crumbled. Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs offered little resistance, while Vipraj Nigam’s late 38 wasn’t enough. Delhi ended at 190-9, falling short despite flashes of brilliance.
Narine’s All-Round Brilliance
Sunil Narine once again proved why he is one of the most valuable T20 players. He not only contributed 27 runs and helped KKR get their best start of the season, but also turned the game with his spell of 3-29. His sixth career first-ball six and timely wickets, including a double-strike to remove Axar and Stubbs, swung the match in Kolkata’s favor.
What This Means for KKR
This victory lifts Kolkata Knight Riders to nine points in the standings and ends their two-match losing streak. It also sends a message that the defending champions are far from done. For Delhi, however, back-to-back losses mean their playoff hopes are now hanging by a thread.(cricket betting app)